Repentance

What is repentance?
The word 'repentance' should be no stranger to a Christ-follower.  Repentance is part of our initial step into Christianity. We often say that when a person becomes a Christian, they "put their faith" in Jesus.  Repentance and faith are different sides of the same coin and are inseparable experiences of God's saving grace. Repentance is the turning from sins and an overall God-less path, and turning to Jesus.  As we turn to Jesus, we place our faith in Him as our Savior, Lord, and highest treasure.  The result is a life that has a new affection for Christ and a new ambition to live for Him.  This also means that we have a new battle.  Before Christ (and repentance) we were at war with God and His ways.  After Christ (and the new life He gives us), we now are at war with sin.

Because Christians are always at war with sin, repentance is an ongoing part of our walk with Christ.  God will continually reveal sins in our lives to produce repentance. This ongoing repentance continually demonstrates that Jesus is our Lord and that our highest desire is to live in fellowship with Him.

Finally, we must understand that repentance is not an endless cycle of sin, remorse, and confession ... only to keep on sinning. Repentance is not sorrow for getting caught or sorrow for consequences.  Nor is repentance an attempt to "do better".
Repentance includes sorrow for sin, its consequences, and its offensiveness to God.
Repentance is more than doing better; it is also a conviction that believes Christ is better than sin.

What causes repentance?
Repentance is the right response to God's revelation.  God through the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us about our sins and about Himself. We see sin for what it really is -- offensive and dishonoring to God and harmful to us. We also see God for who He is -- glorious, almighty, loving, holy, and perfect.  This clarity about sin and God prompts us to turn from sin and turn to God.

How do I stay "repentant" before God?
First, would be to pray something along the lines of Psalm 139:23-24, asking God to search us and reveal anything that is offensive to Him.
Second, would be to ask yourself (and perhaps your spouse, mentor, accountability partner, small group) some questions about yourself:

• Are there any idols in my life? Is there anything in my life that is carrying more "weight" than God?


• Have I turned to substitutes for God? Is anything causing me to "forget God"?


• Are my words and speech tearing others down? Critical? Gossip? Condemning? Discouraging?


• Is my heart full of love for others?


• Am I disobeying any known command of God?


• Do I currently have the "joy of the Lord"? {lack of joy generally = lack of repentance}


• What would those closest to me say about my walk with the Lord?


• How unified am I with other Christians? Am I regularly meeting together as commanded by Scripture?